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Hi Diva, I feel your pain with the need for the Symbicort. I take Advair 250/50 and have for 9 years now. The Drs all try to tell me that it doesn't affect weight but I know it does. I also think that this medication contributed to me having high blood pressure ~ it is listed as a side effect and along with the weight gain (and inability to lose weight), how can you not develop HBP? Because all asthma meds contain some form of an inhaled steroid, we tend to have problems with Water retention (hence weight gain). It's a vicious cycle. If you don't take it, you can't breathe as well and can get very sick...if you do, you have all the nasty side effects to deal with. The steroid is what reduces the inflammation in the lungs that make it hard to breathe. I had slacked off on the Advair and got sick enough I had to go on Prednisone for a week back in Feb. It really slowed things down for me, I didn't gain but I didn't lose for a bit either. Where you taking anything besides the Singulair before the Dr prescribed the Symbicort? I would hate for you to get sick again and have to go on a course of Prednisone to get back on track. If you think the Symbicort is bad.... I know you were teasing with your comment about not taking it unless you are dying, I used to have the same thoughts....until I super sick last year with bronchitis and realized how serious having asthma really is. I didn't realize how many people can and do die from a bad asthma attack and it is so easy to go downhill fast. I was very flippant about carrying my albuterol with me and having trouble knowing when I need to use it. I tend to wait until I am so far gone that the albuterol isn't very effective. Do you use a peak flow meter? I'm trying to get better at using it. I also have most of side effects listed (they are pretty much the same for Advair and Symbicort) but when I quit taking the Advair, I tend to get so sick it doesn't make it worth it. I'm just trying to learn to live with it for now. I am starting allergy shots again today and I am hopeful that if I reduce my allergic reactions that it will in turn help my asthma and maybe I can get off these nasty meds eventually. I enjoy reading your posts and wish you all the best. You are doing great.

It’s not about the food, but it’s all about the food. Wait a minute -- if it’s not about the food, then why do we (the Post-Op & the Doc) keep talking about the RECIPE for Recovery? Don’t recipes involve food? Not always… Think about it: Don’t you have a recipe for success? How about a recipe for the perfect day? …A recipe for family fun? …A recipe for a natural spot remover? …A recipe for composting? What the…composting?! Remember, the Post-Op is from Southern California, where recycling is the law. Well – you may or may not be into recycling, but we’re pretty sure you’re into living fully. If you really want to live fully during and after the process of weight loss, then the RECIPE FOR RECOVERY is something you need! Over the course of the year, we are looking at ways you can combine the ingredients for the recipe (AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, COMMITMENT, ATTITUDE, ACCOUNTABILITY, and EFFORT) to create your very own, personal, healthy life in RECOVERY – from…whatever (obesity, unhealthy relationships, habits, and behaviors)! In last month’s article (Six Simple Ingredients to Get the Weight Off and Keep it Off) we introduced you to each of the ingredients in the RECIPE, and briefly discussed the how each is required to live fully in Recovery From Obesity. This month is all about the “essential” ingredient: AWARENESS. We refer to awareness as being “essential” because you have to become aware of problems (food and non-food related) needing attention in order to work on them…which can be tricky… After all, some things we are aware of and some things we might not be… AWARENESS of things we don’t like A food-related example: eating simple carbs usually results in weight gain [*]AWARENESS of things we may be powerless to stop A food-related example: what other people serve in their homes when we’re invited to a large dinner party A non-food-related example: how others react to our weight loss [*]AWARENESS of things that are scary A food-related example: knowing that many holidays mean tempting foods will be prevalent in the media, at work, etc. A non-food-related example: experiencing the feelings that accompany significant weight loss [*]AWARENESS of things that seem overwhelming A food-related example: avoiding unhealthy “treats” in the work break room A non-food-related example: beginning and maintaining a regular exercise program Fortunately, the RECIPE FOR RECOVERY is perfect for addressing all of those “things” – you know, those thoughts, feelings and behaviors that can distract us from making healthy changes in our lives. That’s precisely why we are presenting the recipe for you to follow! Note: We are deliberately using the verb phrase “to follow” in relation to the Recipe for Recovery because the success of the recipe in creating what it is intended to create requires your ACTION. In this case, the recipe is intended to help you create a healthy life that allows you to live fully at a healthy weight. Just how much “action” is required depends on what you say you want for your life! For example, You decide how much and what type of exercise you’ll do, depending on how physically fit you want to be. You decide how much and what type of food you’ll eat each day to manage the healthy weight you desire. You decide who you associate with and how much time you spend with those people to live as healthy an emotional life as you want to live. You get it! So, we’re clear that AWARENESS is the essential ingredient in the Recipe for Recovery because, well… nothing can be changed if you’re not AWARE that it needs to be changed. If you’re not aware that starches have little nutritional value, then you won’t reduce the number of starches you eat so you can maintain a healthy weight. If you aren’t aware that you have a habit of talking negatively about yourself and/or others, you can’t change it. If someone brings that negative habit to your attention, then you can make a decision about the type of person you want to be and put forth the effort and action needed to make those changes! Awareness IS the first step and the essential ingredient for change. AWARENESS without ACTION, however, is like a treadmill with a bunch of clothes hanging on it – you’re aware that the treadmill is there, but you aren’t using it. We are providing you with the ingredients to include awareness, but it’s up to you to put them into action. We know that being aware of things can be difficult and uncomfortable. This may be the reason so many people focus so much time and energy being aware of things in others rather than focusing on their own problematic behaviors! How often do we know what others must do to change? How much time to do we spend telling others how to fix their problems? We are aware that the neighbors need to mow and water their lawn, but happily ignore our own weeds! Hmm, that might be why one of the main tenets in the 12-Step Recovery world is: Sweep your own side of the street (mind your own business). If you’re more worried about what others are doing wrong, the first step is to become aware of your own “stuff.” To do that, turn those binoculars you’ve pointed at the neighbors directly around and look at yourself. You know, like the “selfie” button on your camera phone…uh, but this time, you don’t have to post your “self-examination” on Facebook! How do you begin to USE the essential ingredient, awareness? Well, if you’ve decided that you want to live fully in Recovery and want to follow the Recipe, we suggest you start by paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – especially when you eat. Start writing down the circumstances surrounding your eating and see if you spot trends. Remember to focus on yourself and what you need to do to live fully. Let others follow the recipe for themselves! Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be posting some questions on our Facebook wall to help you identify areas of your life that will benefit from healthy change, so be sure to check in regularly to A Post-Op & A Doc on Facebook. And join us on March 18th for our March APODCast, which will be all about AWARENESS. Be sure to RSVP…it’s totally free (http://www.spreecast.com/events/apodcast-awareness-essential-ingredient)!

Oh this makes me soooo excited! I am a 40DD, and would LOVE to be back to a B. I hate the weight of them and how much bigger I look with them too. I did lose a ton of weight twice before after 2 of my kids and I don't remember losing much up there...I was smaller before the weight gain too.

If you are serious about the 'ring' or a diaphragm you need to have them rechecked if you loose weight!!!! Your insides will change and shift with you as you loose/gain weight and they will become less affective. You might want to look into the IUD (the new one has rave reviews I hear) or the BC patch. Talk things over with your gyno, inform him/her that you are getting banded and will be loosing quite a bit of weight and you want birth control that will go with you through it all not one you have to worry about. The other thing with BC pills is they do cause some (it is minimal) weight gain, so again you might want to look into a internal device. Again, I reiterate, TALK to your doctor explain what is going on with you, see what he/she recommends for you as you loose weight and your body starts changing.

I think I win the prize for knowing the most band doctors one-on-one. They all disagree at many levels, but the one thing they agree on completely is that erosion happens. Lopez appears to have the most erosions, but he also has the most patients. She went 1.5 years with no fill because she was doing great. Then the temporary port problem added to the weight gain made her decide to get a fill. Going to Mexico from here is a major ordeal, kill 2 birds with one stone. That's when he did the endoscopy and found erosion. I do know that port infection and erosion are related. She didn't mention that though, but since I'm the Queen of Port infections I happend to know that little diddy. I'm not sure if she's related to the person you're talking about. This is posted on the Vegas Bandster board, so it's not like I'm posting something private. I think we all need to know every thing.

Think about it: Don’t you have a recipe for success? How about a recipe for the perfect day? …A recipe for family fun? …A recipe for a natural spot remover? …A recipe for composting? What the…composting?! Remember, the Post-Op is from Southern California, where recycling is the law. Well – you may or may not be into recycling, but we’re pretty sure you’re into living fully. If you really want to live fully during and after the process of weight loss, then the RECIPE FOR RECOVERY is something you need! Over the course of the year, we are looking at ways you can combine the ingredients for the recipe (AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, COMMITMENT, ATTITUDE, ACCOUNTABILITY, and EFFORT) to create your very own, personal, healthy life in RECOVERY – from…whatever (obesity, unhealthy relationships, habits, and behaviors)! In last month’s article (Six Simple Ingredients to Get the Weight Off and Keep it Off) we introduced you to each of the ingredients in the RECIPE, and briefly discussed the how each is required to live fully in Recovery From Obesity. This month is all about the “essential” ingredient: AWARENESS. We refer to awareness as being “essential” because you have to become aware of problems (food and non-food related) needing attention in order to work on them…which can be tricky… After all, some things we are aware of and some things we might not be… AWARENESS of things we don’t like A food-related example: eating simple carbs usually results in weight gain [*]AWARENESS of things we may be powerless to stop A food-related example: what other people serve in their homes when we’re invited to a large dinner party A non-food-related example: how others react to our weight loss [*]AWARENESS of things that are scary A food-related example: knowing that many holidays mean tempting foods will be prevalent in the media, at work, etc. A non-food-related example: experiencing the feelings that accompany significant weight loss [*]AWARENESS of things that seem overwhelming A food-related example: avoiding unhealthy “treats” in the work break room A non-food-related example: beginning and maintaining a regular exercise program Fortunately, the RECIPE FOR RECOVERY is perfect for addressing all of those “things” – you know, those thoughts, feelings and behaviors that can distract us from making healthy changes in our lives. That’s precisely why we are presenting the recipe for you to follow! Note: We are deliberately using the verb phrase “to follow” in relation to the Recipe for Recovery because the success of the recipe in creating what it is intended to create requires your ACTION. In this case, the recipe is intended to help you create a healthy life that allows you to live fully at a healthy weight. Just how much “action” is required depends on what you say you want for your life! For example, You decide how much and what type of exercise you’ll do, depending on how physically fit you want to be. You decide how much and what type of food you’ll eat each day to manage the healthy weight you desire. You decide who you associate with and how much time you spend with those people to live as healthy an emotional life as you want to live. You get it! So, we’re clear that AWARENESS is the essential ingredient in the Recipe for Recovery because, well… nothing can be changed if you’re not AWARE that it needs to be changed. If you’re not aware that starches have little nutritional value, then you won’t reduce the number of starches you eat so you can maintain a healthy weight. If you aren’t aware that you have a habit of talking negatively about yourself and/or others, you can’t change it. If someone brings that negative habit to your attention, then you can make a decision about the type of person you want to be and put forth the effort and action needed to make those changes! Awareness IS the first step and the essential ingredient for change. AWARENESS without ACTION, however, is like a treadmill with a bunch of clothes hanging on it – you’re aware that the treadmill is there, but you aren’t using it. We are providing you with the ingredients to include awareness, but it’s up to you to put them into action. We know that being aware of things can be difficult and uncomfortable. This may be the reason so many people focus so much time and energy being aware of things in others rather than focusing on their own problematic behaviors! How often do we know what others must do to change? How much time to do we spend telling others how to fix their problems? We are aware that the neighbors need to mow and water their lawn, but happily ignore our own weeds! Hmm, that might be why one of the main tenets in the 12-Step Recovery world is: Sweep your own side of the street (mind your own business). If you’re more worried about what others are doing wrong, the first step is to become aware of your own “stuff.” To do that, turn those binoculars you’ve pointed at the neighbors directly around and look at yourself. You know, like the “selfie” button on your camera phone…uh, but this time, you don’t have to post your “self-examination” on Facebook! How do you begin to USE the essential ingredient, awareness? Well, if you’ve decided that you want to live fully in Recovery and want to follow the Recipe, we suggest you start by paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – especially when you eat. Start writing down the circumstances surrounding your eating and see if you spot trends. Remember to focus on yourself and what you need to do to live fully. Let others follow the recipe for themselves! Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll be posting some questions on our Facebook wall to help you identify areas of your life that will benefit from healthy change, so be sure to check in regularly to A Post-Op & A Doc on Facebook. And join us on March 18th for our March APODCast, which will be all about AWARENESS. Be sure to RSVP…it’s totally free (http://www.spreecast.com/events/apodcast-awareness-essential-ingredient)!

It is difficult. @LCamacho83 my sincere condolences to you. I can relate as I have experienced loss of my mother as a child and my aunt and uncle in adult life. I can tell you that my weight gain as a child and young adult contributed alot from the loss of my mother. My aunt and uncle raised me after she passed. To cope with loss, my uncle would often take me out to eat or treat me to a very unhealthy diet. You can see where I am going with this.... It wasn't until after their deaths, that I needed to go talk to someone. Therapy HELPS IMMENSELY! I haven't gone back since I've had my son July 2016 but I KNOW I need to. I need to do it for myself. No one else! I wish you well on your journey! If you get off track, there are always people to pick you up! You just have to look for them! Good Luck

Becky, you sound like you have it all together. I like your stat listing. How tall are you? I take Paxil which also causes weight gain so I know how you feel. My son is 22 and he is having the sleeve with me this month also. Congrats and good luck.

Oh, so that's where the big ass photo came from! Cool. But, DeLarla, I don't see that weight gain you talked about. You look way skinny.

I’m so sorry ur experiencing this with the LB n it’s unfortunately cuz u’ll continue with all those symptoms until u make the right choice in removing it n instead settling for a revision. I can fully relate to ur experience/symptoms cuz I too had the LB for 11 yrs n all my symptoms started a few months after getting it. So, I just put up with all the symptoms n tolerated the band cuz it was a nice little tool that DID the JOB in helping me loose weight by not OVER EAT or able to eat anything at all. I was 210 lbs when I got it. I went down to 135/40 lbs n loving/liking the way I LOOKED even though the symptoms SUCKED. I became ANEMIC n at one time got an AWFUL BACTERIAL infection that I DON’T wish on anyone. Believe me it was a SACRIFICE having the band. But unfortunately n cuz I had no other choice; in 2018 I had the band removed due to LOTS of problems with the port after getting a tummy tuck n too was tired of all the TERRIBLE/AWFUL symptoms that came with it. If I would’ve FULLY RESEARCHED n known of all the LB symptoms; I would’ve instead OPTED for a bypass. Unfortunately I did gain ALL my weight back but that was only due to lots of medical issues once I entered MENOPAUSE n being put on medication. So now, due to all my weight gain I REFUSE to let myself go n NOT EXHAUST all options for OVERALL BETTER HEALTH. Therefore, I’m currently being monitored by a nutritionist n dietician along with my bariatric doctor for a possible GASTRIC BYPASS that was recommended by my doctor. Hope my sharing helped n u make the right choice for ur OVERALL HEALTH. May God illuminate/bless you in DOING THE RIGHT THING.🙏🏽

I lost 130 pounds on my own back in 1996...went from 254 to 124 and stayed there for ten + years. Started the weight gain back in 2009. I know I needed help this time. LAst time I did 800-1000 calories a day, did not watch Protein intake...but then again did not have surgery... I was only on a Protein shake pre op for 3 days..then surgery.... i want to get the protein in, I am going to say that l need to get more protein, but the shakes for me are hard to take... One day at a time... I have found other protein sources of course, but have to wait till i can eat them..

WTG!!! Hope you had a blast! Hi!!!! So glad you found us! Totally didn't occur to me to PM you a link! Duh!!! Sorry about that! You totally can NOT worry about the weight gain right now! I am figuring it just gives you something else to focus on but really, it's not all that important right now! You need to keep yourself up and positive and ready to take on the world! You are in my prayers and I'm pulling for you!! Take good care and keep checking in when you can! ~~~~~ Have a gynp appt. tomorrow. Hoping to get some answers and some relief and a plan of action or something. We'll see what happens. Tired of the same old, same old. We'll also go to Trader Joe's and a couple of other errands while we're down there. Feeling better. Hoping I'm on the other side of this garbage now. Hate being sick! Better head to bed. Hope y'all have a great Monday!

Hi all! Tomorrow marks my fourth month post surgery. What has this journey been like? Well... 1. No leakage or any other serious complication- thank God! 2. I never expected the post surgery experience I had. Anxiety and depression, like I've never witnessed in myself or anyone else. kicked in about two weeks post. Uncontrollable, snowballing, unexplainable, irrational fear, sadness, and regret. I went on tranquilizers, developed a mild dependecy on the benzo, had to follow a tapering process, but all ended well. This experience is unforgettable to me and my family! Everyone entering this surgery process should be aware that this is a possible reaction to surgery. I'm not sure if only to this type of surgery, or all. The more the time passes, the more I see posts that relate to my experience. So far I've contacted six people with less, exact, or worse anxiety and depression after the sleeve. Be aware of this possibility. Know that it can debiliate you, thus you need a safety net. However, also be aware that it passes. Thank God, all that is in the past. But the experience I don't think I will ever forget. 3. Because of #2, an improved appreciation for God, life and for all my loved ones. 4. Weight loss: forty pounds down- yay! 5. Besides #2, the most impacting part of this experience is accepting the fact that the surgery did not rid my addiction to food, nor my unhealthy eating habits. I completed a mandated five month program before surgery. The instructor endlessly stressed to start working on our eating patterns and habits before surgery, to ease the transition and have more success with the procedure. As much as this was emphasized, I didn't do it. It was also emphasized that the surgery didn't cure our addiction and relationships to food, this too I ignored. To me, surgery would cure my addiction to food, would for ever change my eating patterns, and never again would I experience the vicious cycle of binging, guilt, shame, weight gain, etc. etc. etc. In my mind I figured I'd be forced to change because my body wouldn't tolerate overeating. I ached for a change, and surgery would force the change on me....problem solved! I awaited surgery with glee and faith. Well, the story goes otherwise. I have changed some of my eating patterns and you will find plenty healthy veggies and fruits, plus lean meats in my fridge. I joined the gym for the first time in my life, and through therapy am trying to sort out my relationship with food. However, surgery hasn't forced a change on me. You know those stories of having to induce vomit (or it naturally occuring) due to overeating? NEVER happens to me, NEVER! I cannot eat as much as before, but defenitley more than I expected. I can eat a full cup of spaghetti with cheese and sour cream in one sitting. I'll finish it, feel full, and stop eating. But thirty minutes later my pouch has made room, and I can take some more in. This especially happens when I eat out and we usually sit around chatting for a while. Time passes and I'll start nibling at my food again. I can eat about half a cup more--without being hungry. Why do I do it? I'm working on understanding it. Those stories of no longer tolerating fatty, sugary, lactose, or other foods- not I. I can eat EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. Dumping syndrome? I don't even know what that is. Having to chew food to mushy consistency- not I. I chew, but never to the consistency I thought I'd have to. Taste buds change post surgery- not mine. Not one of the billions of taste buds have changed- at all! Bottom line, this surgery didn't force any change on me. I have gone up and down in weight, and can't seem to break the 40 pounds mark. It's been this way for the past five weeks. I still experience the disappointment in myself over food choices and behavior. The shame and guilt sneak up, and soon I'm angry and feel defeated. All the emotions, habits, and challenges I faced with food and weight pre surgery I face now too. I thought I'd be facing these issues two years after surgery when my pouch has relaxed and expanded a bit, and many regain the weight. I thought that by that time my life would be extraordinarily wonderful- that I'd never regain the weight and give up my success and joy. Well, it's only been four months and I'm facing reality already. Everyone considering surgery needs to know this. I think those who've had success with the sleeve have had it because they've made changes that have yielded the success. The sleeve itself will not yield it. Maybe everyone already knows this, but I have been known to be a late bloomer. Do I regret having had surgery? Honestly, there is nothing to regret. I had (and pray that it continues) zero complications, I still enjoy food, have a very active social life, have gone down a size in clothes, and experience no pain, vomit, nausea, or anything of the sort. I feel blessed that my surgery has gone so smooth, pain free, and complication free. I pray that it continues to do so. I prefer to deal with my current issues, than any physical complication. There really is nothing to regret. On the contrary, I believe this surgery has a higher purpose in my life. It isn't yielding the weight success I imagined, but it is forcing me to look deep into myself and work with what is out of balance. I can't run away from it anymore. I refuse to have gone through this experience and continue on the road of addiction, caught in that endless dark cycle. This is the change my sleeve had brought to my life. My progress comes in baby steps, but I'll get there. God bless you all!

I am doing well and steadily getting better. My plastic surgeon said the staph infection set me back about a weeks worth of recovery but he is very happy with how I'm doing now. My hubby just took some pics of me a few minutes ago and I will post them here pretty quick. I have been taking it easy and laying around in my bed and watching a LOT of daytime television. (Don't ya just love Dr. Phil??) On the 19th of September I will be 3 weeks post op. I feel pretty darn good to be honest with ya. I cannot stand up straight all the way yet but I think that is how it is supposed to be right now. Thank you all for your kind words and information. Answered tons of questions I had about my bloatedness and sudden weight gain. I lost all the weight as quickly as I gained it. I am back down to 169 lbs again. So happy. Cannot wait to get the ok from my doc to start exercising again. I cannot wait to start toning up now. I have had a phone interview as far as that original E.R. doc is concerned. The hospital and most of all my plastic surgeon are keeping me abreast of the situation and said it is most certainly not over yet. I will keep ya posted.:clap2:

I was thin until puberty. It was then that I started packing on pounds. I was a size 16 captain of the cheerleaders. My mom cooked healthy due to my dad's heart condition, and I worked out every single day. When I stopped eating that healthy and working out when I went to college, the result was a size 24/26 20-something. I was diagnosed with PCOS pretty soon after I got married as I had never been to a gyno before that. Looking back, the signs were all there. 11 is certainly old enough to start the weight gain. It's worth checking out. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using the BariatricPal App

First, you're not drinking enough Water. You should be drinking closer to 2-3 litres a day. Second, you also shouldn't be concerned with weight gains or losses during the recovery stage. How much weight did you lose pre-op and post-op? What kind of purees are you consuming and how much? If you're consuming carbohydrate rich purees, your body will retain a lot of fluids. Plateauing during the first 2-4 weeks is normal and gaining a few lbs of water is typical. Read this article about the 2 week plateau: http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

I went back and forth with the idea of getting surgery for years. I finally decided why not. Nothing has been effective for me and thousands of dollars have been wasted and more weight gained. I decided that's it's for me to finally move forward with surgery. My only regret at this point is not doing it sooner.

I have just been approved by Aetna for the Realize Band. I read our policy closely and saw that I needed to have 5 years worth of medical records showing how much I weighed and blood pressure, and so on. I went to the doctor all the time and all they want to see is that you have had a constant weight gain, loss, and so on. My weight only fluctuated by a few pounds. I obtained a copy of my chart back to 5 years. I checked that off my list. Next, I had to show that I had other issues and that I was being treated for it. I am being treated by the following: high blood pressure, sleep apnea (I use CPAP); if you have not had a sleep study, the surgeon may order that; reflux; and joint issues. The surgeon I went to has a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, RN, and psyc nurse on his staff. I went once a month for 3 months because my insurance requested it. I only had to see the psych person one time initially. Make a list or if your surgeon's office has one, get the list and work your way down the list. Surely, your surgeon's office has a staff that can help you successfully make this happen. Donna

That is alot of calories especially if you have medical issues that cause weight gain and not active - I currently am running on 400-500 calories a day and loose weight every week - STOP checking your weight every day you will drive yourself nuts. I weigh in every Sunday Morning and record - My goal is 5.5 pounds per week. I hit it every week by controlling intake and moving about I also use a nutritionist and she has me at 450 a day - so not sure where the 1000 came from. I agree with above it is been said that the long run you should be higher - My attitude is this lets loose it all and figure that out later

I gained 40 lbs on that....but that was before WLS. Weight gain is evidently really common with that, so you were lucky.. It might be different after WLS, though. https://www.verywellhealth.com/will-the-depo-provera-shot-cause-weight-gain-906704

IUD here. I do not experience weight gain except during periods.

During your first year that is the time to change your routines around and make your life proactive to weight loss and maintaining it for life. It is a tool to help you get the weight off and keep it off. You are the master behind the tool and it will only be as effective as the master wants it to be. I believe you have to purposely do things counterproductive that will cause weight gain. Such as drinking when eating to push the food through your sleeve so you can eat more or eat carbs etc until your full wait a little bit and then eat some more. If you are careful and eat accordingly you should be fine. Again the modifications that you make in your first year are going to make the difference. Hang in there!

lol -you know those were my thoughts too...i was like until im approved im going to just kick back and go with the flow. of course extra weight gained is extra to lose but still i did it. there's also a class i have to go to before i can have my surgery, the class is on the 20th, lol. i did not want to do a band lifestyle change class until i knew i was getting the band.

I saw my OB yesterday and she said that of all her patients that has had weight loss surgery and the IUD, none of them had reported any weight gain. She doesn't think that the Mirena is affecting me adversely. And I'm not gaining weight, I'm just stalled. She told me to keep and eye on my progress and if it's an issue, she'll pull it. I have no other side effects from it otherwise so I would hate to have it removed, but if it's hindering my progress, it has to go.

I went to see the dietician yesterday and now feel more irritated, confused, depressed and defeated... She said: DON'T weigh food! DON'T count protein or calories or carbs! She said I just have to use the 'bariatric plate'. I find this (attached) completely confusing as I could load up the plate to many different amounts of food and types of food so how was that helpful. She told me not to get so hung up. She personally doesn't have a weight issue (or perhaps she does have a thin issue!), she had no empathy and just sent me on my way making me feel I was making a mountain out of a molehill! I asked her about the wisdom of using sugar free options as I am very suspicious of them as there has been so much written about the negative effects of splenda, sucralose, aspartame, etc ... when I was on Atkins, I kept right away from anything sugar free. But, she said it was fine. I've been told by my surgeon that my weight loss is too slow and disappointing, but as I have Atrial Fibrillation, I have to take beta blockers that slow down the metabolism and cause weight gain. I'm trying to be really strict with my counting and she said it sounded like I was making the right choices. But, she said that she and the surgeon expected me to lose another 16lbs by the end of this month!! She said my food choices look good so I should stop worrying... Feeling exasperated and down-hearted. VSG - Bariatric Plate.pdf